[Reading Science] Korea's Version of the 'Artificial Sun': Hippo or Goose?

Basic Concept of Siljeung-ro Confirmed on the 23rd
Amid Uncertainty of Success, 'Bill' Gets Underway
Cheap, Clean, Pollution-Free Future Energy Source
Massive Budget Planned, 'Half Expectation, Half Concern'

"Is it a budget-consuming hippo or a golden egg-laying goose?"

South Korea's research on the ‘artificial sun’ has begun to present its bill in earnest. It is an ambitious plan to reproduce the nuclear fusion chain reaction occurring in the sun here on Earth and use it as an energy source. The Korean superconducting tokamak KSTAR, into which about 400 billion won was invested in 2008, has been completed and is developing technology to maintain and control ultra-high-temperature plasma exceeding 100 million degrees Celsius. The government plans to immediately proceed with the construction of a demonstration reactor and practical application once the international fusion reactor (ITER), being built by a coalition of seven countries, is completed and the nuclear fusion chain reaction experiment succeeds. To this end, on the afternoon of the 23rd, the National Fusion Committee held a meeting and finalized the ‘basic concept for a power generation demonstration reactor.’ The plan includes constructing a 500MW-class demonstration reactor in the 2050s and starting the development of necessary core technologies.

On the 22nd, the day before, Yoo Seok-jae, president of the Korea Fusion Energy Research Institute (KFE), revealed KSTAR to reporters and emphasized, "The golden time is not long. There are only about 12 to 13 years left until 2035, when ITER’s nuclear fusion chain reaction experiment will be conducted," adding, "If successful, we must immediately move to the design phase for demonstration, and technical preparations are necessary to be ready for that time."

KSTAR, Korea's version of the 'Artificial Sun,' a superconducting tokamak fusion device operated by the Korea Fusion Energy Research Institute (KFE) within the Daedeok Research Complex in Daejeon. File photo.

The significance of developing fusion energy is well understood. Unlike nuclear fission, it produces almost no radioactive waste or pollutants. Most fuels such as lithium, deuterium, and tritium can theoretically be self-produced. If cheap, safe, and pollution-free energy can be produced infinitely, it would be an unparalleled choice for energy security and achieving carbon neutrality.

The problem is that an enormous bill is becoming visible amid uncertainty about success. South Korea has already spent 400 billion won on KSTAR construction and about 800 to 900 billion won or more on ITER construction contributions. Thousands of billions of won will be spent on developing the basic concept and core technologies in the future. Even if ITER’s nuclear fusion chain reaction experiment succeeds, trillions of won more will be required for demonstration reactor development. From the public’s perspective, anxiety is inevitable. The question arises: "Is it all or nothing?"

This dual sentiment was also felt during the visit to the KSTAR site in the Daedeok Research Complex on the 22nd. KSTAR seen on-site was magnificent. For the general public, it is unimaginable and incomprehensible how highly advanced technologies are realized through complex facilities to create plasma at 100 million degrees Celsius. Especially, KSTAR is the most advanced in the world. It is breaking its own record for ion temperature operation time above 100 million degrees Celsius, preparing for the forthcoming full-scale fusion energy era. Knowing that Korea is leading in such a cutting-edge field excites the heart with the benefits and infinite possibilities that future eco-friendly and pollution-free energy development can bring. However, there was also a somber feeling. An official from KFE met on-site lamented, "Even 30 years ago, they talked about ‘commercialization in 30 years,’ and now, when we say ‘30 years later,’ people say, ‘Aren’t you scammers?’"

Of course, research on fundamental core technologies like fusion must be invested in even if it does not succeed. It is fine for advanced countries to go first. We must conduct research ourselves to build a knowledge base and nurture human resources to adopt that technology.

The Korean version of the artificial sun, filled with both anticipation and anxiety, has an uncertain outcome. It depends solely on the hands of scientists. Only thorough government management and encouragement, along with public interest, can support them.